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The 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine

By Catherine Tai

In Korea, the skincare and beauty market is extremely high. There is a huge array of skincare products that have different desired effects; therefore, one’s skin care routine is tapered to the individual needs with different products. With the skincare products, many Korean people follow a certain 10-step skincare routine to achieve having “glass skin” or flawless skin, and prevent early aging. The 10 step Korean Skincare Routine is a skincare regimen that is followed twice in a day, once in the morning, and once at night.Here’s a simplified breakdown of the routine:

Step 1: Oil Cleanser

Starting off this 10 step skin care routine is a double-facial cleanse. Oil cleansing is important to use both in the morning and night to remove the excess oils, dust particles, germs, and sebum that clog your pores. It is also used to remove makeup, sunscreen, other facial products that have been applied throughout the entire day. The oil cleanser is applied on dry skin and massaged into the skin and then washed off with warm water.

While the oil cleanser removes oil, sebum, and sunscreen, the water-based cleanser is more effective in removing dirt and sweat. This cleanser also reassures the removal of excess residue not cleaned from the first step. A water-based cleanser can be either non-foaming or foaming that is applied on a wet face and rinsed off.

After the double-cleanse, the next step would be to exfoliate. There are two types of exfoliants: mechanical and chemical. While the mechanical exfoliant is more abrasive, the chemical exfoliant contains chemicals such as lactic acid. Exfoliant rids your face of dead skin cells and unclogs your clogged pores, leaving you with brighter, softer skin. However, despite how clean and fresh exfoliation leaves your skin, this step should be done only once or twice a week. Exfoliating too often can actually become harmful to your skin.

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Step 4: Toner

Toner is a cosmetic lotion or wash that is used to bring back moisture into your face. It balances your skin’s pH as well as preps your skin for later steps in the regimen. Toner has many additional pros to your skin like making it radiant and resilient to bacteria. Toner can be applied by massaging it into your face using a cotton pad or your hands. Unlike the cleansers and the exfoliant, you do not wash it off.

Essence is very essential as it helps further hydrate your skin and helps with cell turnover and skin regeneration. It is a concentrated formula that helps rejuvenate skin with flaws like wrinkles, uneven skin tones.

Face serums are products that penetrate deeply into the skin. In this routine, they are used with the intent to deliver potent nourishing ingredients back into the skin. The serum contains a concentrated formula of small molecules that will help to deliver the desired result. Whether you are acne prone, have dry skin, or appear to have a dull skin tone, serums have different ingredients that will counter these impurities. For instance, vitamin C increases collagen production and reduces inflammation while hyaluronic acid helps to retain moisture. There are different serums with specific ingredients that will help retrieve nourishment. However, it is also important to keep in mind that because a serum is very potent, a lot is not needed to be used.

The next step is sheet masks. The choice of your face mask depends solely on what your skin needs: moisture, firmness, brightness, rejuvenation, oil control, etc. With this, there are scented flavor choices such as rose, aloe, cucumber, avocado, orange, lemon, açaí, even snail serum and bee venom. These sheet masks attack a particular impurity that needs refining on your skin. This step, like the exfoliant, is not a daily step. Although some may choose to use a sheet mask daily. Once applied to the face, it is generally left on the face for 15-25 minutes. Keeping it on any longer would actually let the mask retract moisture from your skin.

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Step 8: Eye Creams

The skin around your eyes is more delicate and thinner than the rest of your face, therefore, this area needs its own care and moisture. In order to avoid early aging or signs of aging, you must apply the cream under or around your eyes. It is better to slowly apply the cream using the ring finger so that you prevent from pulling or stretching skin.

If it is the night routine, this is the last step. Using moisturizer is considered one of the most important steps, as it also locks in all the steps before. It keeps your skin locked with moisture and everyone needs this Whether you use a cream, gel, or oil the final step of the night time routine an essential part of using moisturizer is making sure your skin absorbs it. In order to ensure this, massaging the face with your fingers will help your skin take in the moisturizer as well as improve its elasticity.

Part of this skincare’s morning routine, sunscreen is very important, especially among Koreans. Not only does sunscreen protect you from UV rays, which can cause skin cancer and other diseases, but it can also help prevent early aging and dull skin. You can choose a sunscreen suitable for your skin’s needs like hydration, mattifying, or if your skin is sensitive or acne prone. Asian sunscreen is different than American sunscreen because they are made specifically for your face and neck in a lighter less oily formula.

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And here we have the ten steps of the Korean Skincare routine. By using this skincare routine it doesn’t necessarily mean you will get automatic results. However, with doing this routine, you are following the general steps for better skin. You can taper the products to what your skin needs for “glass skin”. This routine gives us a look into a part of many Koreans life, as taking care of your skin is a lifestyle.